The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-05-06
HIS UNTOLD LOVE.

IA guardianship! We'll, it's no new
thing for mo-" added John Steele.
He placed tho letter on q table. A
packet lay there also. After a moment be
took this up and broke the seallnv.vax,
A package OF yellow paper fell into his
hand. Cloeely united was also a velvet
miniature case and m old.fashioned Eng.
fish locket. Ho turned the open face Of
the locket to tho light.
1t was tho daughter Of Bert vsne's
daughter, taken in her 9TH year. Her
father had boon John Steele's schoolmato,
"Will you take my little girl iuto your
keeping?'
That letter was Bert Vaue'a final act,
written In the last hour of his life.
The child was at lchool in New Eng.
land, and, after mature thought, John
Steele decided that che had better ptay
there for the present. He went to Europe
with his young step-b1other, Herbert,
and was absent two years,
Leaving bis atop-brother in Germany,
he returned 10 Lakehome. For months
he wac much engroesed by business:
then he found a oparo opportunity to
visit the academy where Violet was. Tho
matron received him with dignity.
" should like to see the little rirl.n he
said.
Madame stared and Withdrew. A few
moments and the door swung open again,
a girl OF seventeen, with clustering Curla
and the trailing robes Of womanhood,
swept softly toward him. lie looked into
the oval face, chaste as a flower, and saw
the lineaments Of the child'n portrait.
"But'-he stnmmered.
L"You thought it was a little pirl. Mr..
steele?. No; papa thought me only a child
when he died, but l was IT,"
She had a strange, sweet dignity, She
was utterly lovely. And John SLesle was
strangely confused.
His swelling heart came 70 his throat.
but the artless eyes, sweet rs heavens
truth, met his calmly.
Il am 80 old andugly shedoes not think
that have a hear" he thought, the blood
receding again and leaving an aching void.
u am her guardian-that is all. l must not
forget"
1t was decided that she was to 20 to
Lakehome. sho stole quietly as a sunbeam
into her place at Lskehoms. If John but
told the truth, he knew that he should &C.
knowledge himself to be her slave,
The weeks flaw by-Christmas came.
The house was full Of company-smilipp
matrons, gay girls, indulgiug papas,
tavorite son and brothers. It WAS a
happy time. Alaal alasl that earthly
happiness is go short. -.
u Sas Cl'!stGlGs eve, and in The midst
OF the merrits:: game John Steele had iust
kissed Violet under the mistletoe, when
the door swung open, admitting a new ar
rivals young man OF 81, handsome,
healthy, debonair.
Brother John z"
"Herbertw
1t was the young musician from Gsr-
many. Fresh snd ardent, he was ono Of
them immediately. In the confusion
john did not see that from tho first he 3D.
mired Violet.
He had come and seen and conquered.
John observed with C. sharp surprise, tbs
change in Violet. She WIS another being
to his young brother from what she hsd
been to him.
The holidays went by, tho house grew
quiet-Herbert sought an interyiew with
his elder brother.
John listened quietly.
II have expected this, Herbert, I will
talk with Violet"
but you can give mo your conaent 2"
II can say nothing now"
With a look OF surprise Herbert with
drew-went down the wide oak stair,
crossed the terrace, whistling,
John rang the study bell.
He turned faint at the sound of hor
light step on the velvet Of the hall, vet
fought OIL the weakness successfully be-
fore abe came in. The pain remained but
she saw no sign Of it.
She wore q dress Of blue, her bronss
curle chung about her shy face, her net
greyhound Caliph followed close at her
side. He motioned her gently to a seat.
For 8 moment he did notspeak-he felt
tired with suffering.
Hor dog, which he had given her, cross.
ed the room, and laying his slender head
upon his knee, looked up wislfully into
his face.
"What is all this Herbert tells me,
Violet }" with a forced smile, a steady
voice.
HE has told your" with a swift blush.
"Told me what, Violet? Come closer,
little one, and let me look into your face.
What could he tell me2"
THAT we love each other.n
She Wal on her knees beside his chair,
her blushing, bright features hidden on
big shoulder. She could not SEQ his. face.
His tace?-no, all no!
"My child, have you quite given your
heart to this young brother Of mine 30
soon2 1t is but q little while that you
have known him."
bitterly a little while but it seems
a long while that we have bsen together.
| have been-1 am 30 happy with him,
guardyl |"
"But you have boon happy with me,
have you not
"Ah that Ia different"
A little silence. He quietly and forever
put away all hope.
"Yes, very different, my Violet Kiss
me, little %one-only once. There; thank
you, dear. 90 now and say to Herbert
that I give you to him, and to the life you
have choaen, as hiB wife"
She slipped away like q beam Of light.
But Cslipb, for tile FIRST time in bis life,
when permitted, did not follow her. he
pressed closer 10 Johns knee and uttereda
pitiful whine. Gaining no attention he
joined the silence OF the stately room, cas-.
ing his troubled heart by the employment
Of tapping up, with his slender tongue,
the tears that fell on the folded hands o.
the master Of Lakehome. iadgr.
APRErTY LITTLE FICTION.